Flights to Odessa, Washington from NT$27,451

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a pain-free start to your time in Odessa.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Traveling on a plane can be a comfortable experience if you've got all the right gear. Firstly, you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a clean set of clothes and a magazine or two. Secondly, find room in your bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any medications and perhaps a neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, don't forget to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between air carriers, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, knives, spray paint and fireworks. Sporting equipment like ice skates, and items that could harm other people, such as pepper spray and firearms, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your prime concern when choosing what to wear during your flight. Consider your choice of footwear with care too, as swollen ankles and feet are a common occurrence. Flat, slightly roomy shoes work well.
• Unfortunately, a risk of flying long-haul is developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by extended periods of inactivity. To prevent this, take every opportunity to wander around the cabin. Compression socks and tights are also a great idea to help minimize this risk.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport will help make your trip to Odessa quick and painless. We've rounded up some useful tips for a swift journey past security:

• Be sure to keep your passport and boarding pass within close reach. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• Your jacket, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a good chance you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Sharp items like knives are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked suitcase.